The list of what I still need to learn is endless, but the opportunities with online learning are limitless, too. I would like to learn how to best use online teaching and learning as an intervention for struggling students, even if the class itself is not an online class. I have so many students who refuse to work during class, so a potential intervention could be working with them beyond the classroom. However, motivation would be a real issue, I believe, since there would be very little face-to-face accountability, unless I'm missing something. Of course, regular communication through programs like Skype would help, but I don't believe it would be an answer. Is it an online class if it takes place in the classroom with a teacher, but all work is done online? With our population, it seems that this is the only way to make it a successful academic intervention for low-performing students. Perhaps online learning would be best for high-achieving students as advanced credit attainment rather than credit recovery?
I also wonder if online teachers would be set up for failure if they are expected to teach both traditional and online classes rather than specialize in just online teaching. It seems like until we attain a level of comfort with online teaching, that should be the focus for teachers rather than a new endeavor to add on to traditional teaching. If this is the new wave of education, then I am willing to jump in and ride it out, but I am hoping for lots of support along the way.
It sounds that you are struggling with the same motivation problems I am starting to see in my classes. Are online classes the answer to unmotivated students? I don't think so. I do send my students to check their grades online rather then ask me. I have even asked them to use their phone to check that grades hoping that they realize that they can take some responsibility of their learning. I have placed material on line for students to get another copy of material they have been given but have lost. Again hopefully students will take responsibility for their learning. I hope these ideas help. I feel your frustration, remember we are in this together!
ReplyDeleteJamie I feel your pain on trying to motivate students who don't want to learn. You have heard the saying "You can lead a horse to water; but, you can't make them drink it." Holds true to a lot of students at Hale. If you can't movitate students in a regular class how are we supposed to movtivate them in a online class. You need to have many group activities and place them into a group and have the other students motivate them. I agree with you on the high-achieving students should take the online classes. But, we have to offer all classes to all students.
ReplyDeleteThere are many questions the district need to answer before they offer all the online classes. It will take sometime and a lot of trial and errors. Just keep plugging along, just like I am, and things will work out for the best.